Farming Monthly National June 2016 | Page 28

| Livestock Livestock Event: Forage Field, making more from forage All visitors to Livestock Event will be able to find out how to make more from forage, the cheapest form of feed, at the sector’s largest business to business event staged on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July at The NEC, Birmingham. Entry is free to all visitors. orage Field will be among the key hands-on demonstrations, organised in conjunction with the British Grassland Society and will be split in to two areas. Forage Field main sponsor, Germinal will be demonstrating the difference between a modern productive grassland sward and a worn-out ley, comparing dry matter yield and quality and the implications for milk and meat production. Also featured in live plots, alongside the latest Aber High Sugar Grass varieties, will be alternative forage crops, including modern options such as red clover and forage brassicas. Silage Solution’s Dr Dave Davies will bring silage under the spotlight with the help of grass ensiled in four mini demo clamps. He will be discussing how to reduce dry matter percentage losses between field and feed F face, and explain the importance of good consolidation in order to achieve best clamp density and in turn minimise further losses. “The drive towards making best use of home grown forages is fast gaining momentum not only amongst dairy producers, but also beef and sheep farmers as they turn towards make essential cost savings on bought in feed in an attempt to achieve sustainable businesses,” explains event director, Matt Knight. “That’s why Forage Field is all about sharing information, ideas and no nonsense practical advice to take home and implement next day on farm.” Livestock Event 2016 will be FREE to all visitors. Persistently low prices across the livestock sector, have led event organiser, RABDF to agree to the free offer, as a gesture on behalf of the charity. Pre-register at www.livestockevent.co.uk 28 | Farming Monthly | June 2016 New: Livestock Learning airy, beef and sheep producers will be able to have their say on some of today’s big topics and issues at Livestock Learning, Livestock Event’s exciting new knowledge sharing forum. Livestock Learning will feature panel debates and presentations from leading industry specialists together with award winning farmers themselves. Herd health will come under the microscope with specialists focusing on mobility scoring, early lameness treatment, digital dermatitis, plus a BVDFree England panel debate followed practical steps advice. Livestock Learning will also provide the opportunity for visitors to hear from and question some of D the UK’s leading farmers. Livestock Event organiser has organised the first ever panel of former RABDF NRM Gold Cup winners together with slots for the current holders of Farmers Weekly Dairy and Beef Farmers of the Year. “We are thrilled to develop a brand new feature for 2016,” says event director, Matt Knight. “Livestock Learning will be offering essential knowledge towards effective decision making for all producers seeking a sustainable business. Whilst we have agreed a schedule, if there are any topics which visitors would like to discuss, then we would like to hear from them by tweeting @LivestockEvent, adding #livestocklearning and introducing the topic, or emailing us at [email protected]” www.farmingmonthly.co.uk